The Methacton School District Board of School Directors voted to adopt a proposed final budget of $109,372,074 for the 2018-2019 school year during a special meeting of the Board on May 16, 2018. The proposed budget includes a 1.99% tax increase, which equates to an increase of .5863 mills, resulting in a proposed millage rate of 30.0448.

Director of Business Services Tim Bricker and Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe presented the proposed final budget presentation here.

A resident whose home is valued at the average residential assessment of $173,660 would see a $101.82 increase in real estate taxes, resulting in a 2018-2019 tax bill of $5,217.58. The PDE 2028 document for the proposed final budget may be downloaded from the website here.

The final 2018-2019 budget will be presented to the Board for consideration at the June 19, 2018 meeting.

The funds include a grant of $4,775 to fund a television production program for students at Woodland Elementary School, and $1,200 to fund in part the MHS Technology Student Association trip to the national Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science competition.

Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations

The Board approved the hiring of Che Regina of Morris, Pa. as the district's new Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations. Mr. Regina will begin his service to the district on July 16, 2018.

Mr. Regina holds a degree in physics from Mansfield University, a Masters in Education from Califonia University of Pa, and an MBA from Penn State. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, and athletic director prior to holding the human resources position for the past four years at Keystone Central School District.

Program Curtailment

Interim Director of Personnel Dr. Troy Sosnovik provided the Board with an overview of planned program curtailments and position eliminations during the Board's work session meeting. Based on feedback from the Board regarding class size, the administration provided a proposal that addresses the programmatic and financial targets while keeping class sizes consistent with current practice.

Special Education Alliance

The Special Education Alliance, a parent group that exists under the Methacton Coordinating Council, presented the Board with an overview of their organization.

Benefit and Compensation Agreements

During the regular meeting on May 22 the Board approved the benefit and compensation plans for the Methacton Administrators Organization as well as the district's confidential employees.

Other

All other items listed on the May 22 agenda were approved.

Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe noted, "...these are colleagues, volunteers, advisors, coaches, and friends. They have been first to arrive and last to leave, lending help to those who need it. They care about the children of this community, they care about this school district, and we owe our success in part to their dedication and commitment to excellence."

He added, "This ceremony is just a small gesture of our appreciation of your contributions to the Methacton School District. Please accept our thanks, to you and your families, for your service to our students and our community. You will be missed, and we wish you all the best in your future journey."

Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe invited Award of Excellence recipients to be recognized by the Board. Honored in May were Methacton High School employees Rhonda Asher and Leah Milrood.

Methacton High School Principal Dr. Jason Sorgini read a few words honoring both Mrs. Asher and Mrs. Milrood. Read more about these two fine individuals on the district's website.

For the second year in a row, the Methacton School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Methacton answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

This award recognizes that Methacton is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

Thanks are due the members of the music staff, who completed the extensive application process that resulted in the designation.